Sterilizing cabinet



Dec. 24, 1940. G. c. ARNOLD s'rEnILizING CABINET Filed March 4,' 19258 n www w mm m m WMM M c@ @f Patented Dec. 24, 1940 `UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 4,

1 Claim.

The presentk invention relates to sterilizing cabinets and more particularly to sterilizing cabinets especially adapted for use in barber shops, beauty parlors, and the like.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved sterilizing cabinet in which appliances, instruments, and the like, particularly those used in barber shops and beauty parlors, such as dusters, hair brushes, combs, etc., can be both sterilized and dried.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved sterilizing cabinet of the character referred to, which will be neat in appearance, require a minimum of space, be so constructed and arranged that the solution used for sterilizing may be conveniently renewed, and which is suitable for use in barber shops and beauty parlors, irrespective of the size of the shop.

llhe invention resides in certain details of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages there of will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specication, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a sterilizing cabinet embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section approximately on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section approximately on the line 35 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a section approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing the reference character A designates a combination sterilizing and drying cabinet particularly adapted for use in barber shops, beauty parlors, etc. The cabinet comprises a plurality of compartments including a relatively large upper compartment designated l0 to which access may be had by a folding door II hinged to the cabinet along the center of the top thereof. When opened the door I I is adapted to be folded back in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The compartment I0 houses a support I2 adapted to hold a plurality of barber appliances, such as clusters, brushes, and the like, which have previously been dipped in a sterilizng solution or the like. The support I2 is xed to the upper end of a vertical shaft or spindle I3 rotatably supported 1938, Serial No. 193,956

in the horizon-tal partition I4 forming the floor of the compartment Il) and the bottom I5 of the cabinet.

Below the compartment III and in the left-hand side of the cabinet there is a second compartment .5 I5 formed by a partition I'I. The compartment I6 is provided with a removable container I8 adapted to hold a suitable sterilizing solution. Access to this compartment is had through a door I9 in the front of the cabinet. The partition I4 between the upper and lower compartments has an opening 20 therein dened by an upstanding flange 2|, through which appliances may be dipped into the sterilizing solution in the container I8 prior to being placed on the rotatable support I2. 'Ihe partition I4 is so constructed and arranged that sterilizing solution dripping from appliances on the support I2 will be returned to the container I8 in the lower compartment I6 through an aperture adjacent the opening 2D covered by a screen 22 which prevents dirt from entering the sterilizing solution.

The support I2 is adapted to be continuously rotated by an electric motor 23 housed in the lower rear part of the cabinet and operatively connected to the Vertical shaft I3 by the gear train designated generally by the reference character 24. The gear train 24 includes a friction clutch 25 the engagement and disengagement of which can be controlled from the front of the cabinet by means of a rod 26, the rear end of which is pivotally connected to a clutch yoke 21 pivotally supported at 50. 'Ihroughthe medium of the clutch 25 the support I 2 may be stopped as desired.

In order to facilitate the .drying of the appliances on the support I2 provision is made for circulating warm air through the upper compartment I0 by a fan 28 xed to the left-hand end of the armature shaft of the motor 23. Air is admitted to the tunnel-like compartment 29 formed by the partitions 30 and 3| Which houses the motor and fan through an intake opening 32 formed in the lower rear part ofthe cabinet A and is conducted to the upper compartment I0 by an air duct comprising the lower part 33 of the cabinet which is enclosed. The left-hand end of the compartment 29 opens into the enclosed lower portion 33 of the cabinet from which point the air is conducted through passages 34 formed by double side walls in the cabinet to the outlet 35 opening into the sides of the upper compartment I0. From the upper compartment I0 the air is exhausted through the back of the cabinet by an outlet 36 therein covered by a suitable screen.

The air entering the cabinet through the intake 32 is passed through a filter 3l extending across the inlet. This lter is preferably a commercially known glass lter and may be replaced at intervals through an opening in the right-hand side of the cabinet normally closed by a plate 33. The air passing through the compartment 29 is heated by an electric heating element 40 located immediately in front of the fan 28.

In some instances it may be desirable to medicate and/or deodorize the air passing through the compartment, and, in turn, the air in the shop. In the present instance this may be accomplished by placing a deodorant and/or medicating substance in the lower compartment 33 of the cabinet where it Will come in contact with the air passing therethrough. Access to this part of the cabinet may be had through a door 4| at the lower right hand front of the cabinet. If desired a separate compartment can be provided for the deodorizing and/or medicating substance and a portion of the air bypassed therethrough'instead of locating the substance in the main air duct. This arrangement would have the advantage that it could be closed off as desired.

The preferred embodiment of the invention herein shown also includes a small compartment 42 formed by the member I4, the partitions 43 and d4, and a bottom member 46. This co-mpartment is suitable for storing appliances such as clippers, tweezers, etc., and substances such as shampoo oils and the like. Access to the compartment 42 is had by a door il above the door 4i. A plurality of small apertures in the floor and rear wall of the compartment 42 allows a certain amount of warm air to circulate therethrough, but if desired these apertures may be omitted.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention it will be apparent that the objects heretofore enumerated and others have been accomplished. A neat appearing compact drying and/or sterilizing cabinet has been provided, the appliance support of which may be rotated or stationary as desired. When used simply as a drying apparatus the compartment in the lower front left corner may be used for storing articles'of any character.

When used as a combination sterilizing and drying cabinet the sterilizing solution is very accessible and may be conveniently replaced. If desired, the cabinet may also be used to deodorize or medicate the air in the shop. The barber or beautician always has sterilized appliances convenient for use.

While in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown the appliances may be rotated in a horizontal plane, it will be understood that the support therefor could be rotated above a vertical axis or the like. Although the invention has been herein illustrated and described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the particular construction shown which may be Varied within the scope of the invention and it is my intention to hereby cover all applications, adaptations, and modications thereof that come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, and I particularly point out and claim as my invention the following:

Apparatus for sterilizing and drying appliances comprising a cabinet having partitions therein forming a plurality of compartments, one of said compartments being located above another, a support in the upper compartment adapted to hold a plurality of barber appliances, a door for affording access to said compartment, said cabinet having an air inlet, an air duct communicating with said inlet and said upper cornpartment, a fan located in said air duct for circulating air therethrough, means located in said duct for ltering air circulated through said duct, means located in said duct for heating air circulated therethrough, said cabinet having an opening therein communicating with said upper compartment and the exterior of said cabinet constituting an outlet for air in said compartment, a container for a sterilizing solution in the compartment underneath said upper compartment, the partition between said upper compartment and the last mentioned compartment being open so that barber appliances can be dipped into the sterilizing solution in said container and positioned on said support and Whereby sterilizing solution dripping from said appliances will be returned to said container.

GEORGE C. ARNOLD. 

